3. Gilmore’s groin / Sportsman’s hernia
Gilmore’s groin or Sportsman’s hernia causes pain deep in the groin area. It can start suddenly or develop slowly over time, and it usually affects people who play sports that involve a lot of twisting movements, e.g. football. It's not that common in runners.
It’s not a true hernia, and you don’t get a bulge like you would with a normal hernia. They’re not really sure about what exactly causes the pain, but most athletes with this condition seem to have a tear in some of the ligaments and tendons deep inside the inguinal area.
How to fix this: The first line of treatment for Gilmore’s groin is to follow a carefully graded strengthening programme for at least 12 to 24 weeks. If this isn’t successful, you may benefit from surgery to fix or trim the ligaments or tendons that are causing the problem.